We used a very simple format that can be easily regenerated in different software programs. It was essentially a 2-column table with times down the left (depending on how long the bishop wants to allow per family) and a blank on the right for the families to sign up. Sometimes the bishop asked for short times and then encouraged larger families to sign up for 2 or 3 blocks. Other times we would try to move people up if the bishop got ahead of the schedule.

We only would put out a few sheets at a time to encourage families to sign up earlier rather than wait for the last available slot. Some members erroneously think that they cannot have tithing settlement before they have paid all their tithing for the year.

Here's a little trick when using spreadsheets: By using formulas and cut and paste, you can easily create a number of slots without having to type each one.

Example:

For cell A1, enter "Time" for the headerFor cell A2, enter the first time slot (example 1:00 PM)For cell A3, enter "=TIMEVALUE("0:10")+A2" to create increments of 10 minutes.Copy cell A3 and paste it for the rest of column A for the page.

Bingo, you now have a grid of sign-up times. Need a new set for Tuesday starting at 6:00 PM? Just enter 6:00 PM in cell A2 - the rest will self-calculate.

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russellhltn wrote:Here's a little trick when using spreadsheets: By using formulas and cut and paste, you can easily create a number of slots without having to type each one.

Example:

For cell A1, enter "Time" for the headerFor cell A2, enter the first time slot (example 1:00 PM)For cell A3, enter "=TIMEVALUE("0:10")+A2" to create increments of 10 minutes.Copy cell A3 and paste it for the rest of column A for the page.

Bingo, you now have a grid of sign-up times. Need a new set for Tuesday starting at 6:00 PM? Just enter 6:00 PM in cell A2 - the rest will self-calculate.

You can also type "1:00 PM" in one cell, then "1:10 PM" in the cell below it, select both cells, and drag the little square on the bottom right corner of the selection border downward. When you let go, it will automatically fill in the rest of the times on 10-minute increments.

sbradshaw wrote:You can also type "1:00 PM" in one cell, then "1:10 PM" in the cell below it, select both cells, and drag the little square on the bottom right corner of the selection border downward. When you let go, it will automatically fill in the rest of the times on 10-minute increments.

It also works for other increments, such as months – start typing January, February, then drag to fill in the rest of the months. This works in Excel, Numbers, and Google Sheets, so it will probably work in OpenOffice and LibreOffice too.